Gem-polishing machine.



C. J. COLEMAN.

GEM POLISHING MAQHINE. APPLICATION FILED nov. 25, 1912. RENEWED JULY 22. l9l5.

1,173,174. Patented Feb. 29,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Mme mac: y ammo/6 at L W V V a 7: J 815 L; Gum meg;

C. J. COLEMAN.

GEM POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, m2. RENEWED JULY 22.1915.

1,173,174. Patented Feb. 29,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fig.4. l8 2% I 6 Mom: amen kw C. J. COLEMAN.

GEM POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.25. 1912. RENEWED JULY 22.1915.

1,173,174. Patented Feb. 29,1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

C. J. COLEMAN.

GEM POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1912. RENEWED JULY 22.1915.

1, 173, 174. Patented Feb. 29,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3] wwwtoz of an'-0verhanging supporting arm 7, of which there are three, extending radially out from the upper bearing for the shaft 2, disposed 120 apart, a gem-holding head being provided on each arm 7. This supporting arm extends transversely of the lap l and the supporting block 5 is, therefore, free to move longitudinally of the supporting arm 7, and the sloping or beveled engaging faces 'of the two members cause the supporting block to be held by gravity securely to its supporting arm 7, and the vertical engaging facesof the two members are of substantial length as shown, and the movement of the block along the supporting arm is thereby rendered steady. In the. machine shown, the supporting arm 7 extends parallel to the radial line of the lap 1 occupied by the gem or stone, and in the movement of the block 5 along: the arm 7 the arm serves to guide the stone in a radial line transversely of the lap. The spindle 4 is normally held by gravity with the stone 8 resting upon the polishing surface of the lap, in the position shown in the drawings, and it, therefore, falls down with the stone as the stone is polished oil. while being free totbe moved longitudinally away from the lap.

The polishing or (lop-holding head 5) may be of any suitable construction and is adjustably carried in the enlarged lower bifurcated end 10 of the spindle 4. The construction of this polishing head and the means for adjusting it form no part of this invention. but are described and laimed in my eopending application Serial Number 733,417, filed on even date herewith. This polishing head provides for adjusting the gem to present the dili'erentfacets to the lap and to vary the angle at which the gem contacts with the lap. A motor-driven worm (not shown) cooperates with a worm wheel 11, which is splined on the spindle 4, and provides means for continuously r0- tating the gem upon the lap, as described in my said copending application.

To prevent the stone from being polished to too great a depth at any facet, an automatic depth gage is provided, which by suitable means indicates when the proper depth has been reached, and also preferably disengages the stone from the lap at that time, preferably by mechanical means, and which, in the illustrated embodiment, consists of'an automatic tripping or'throw-out device operated by a contact member which becomes operative at the conclusion of the polishing operation upon every facet. The illustrated device consists of means for raismg the gem holder and gem away from the lap, and a trigger forv opera-ting this mechanism which follows in the path of the gem upon the lap and is so adjusted that it strikes the lap at a predetermined of the polishing operation, and is tripped thereby and operates the lifting mechanism. Two cooperative spring cups I2 and i3 are arranged upon the upper end of spindle 4, v

ther separation of the cups raises the spin' die 4 as far as the head 10 on the spindle 4 will permit- The outer slidable cup 13 is. however. normally locked against the tension of the spring 15 by a compound lever device, as will now be described.

A leveasupporting member-16 of general U sliape is arranged with its legs horizontal and its base vertical, and its upper leg ter-- minutes in a split collar pivotally clamped about a (-1rcumferentially reduced portion of the micrometer screw H by clamp screws 17, and the lower leg of the lever-sup mrt ing member 16, which elongated, pivots over the spindle 4 near the lower end of -the spindle slightly above the head 10. The lever-supporting member lt is thus free to swing angularly about the spindle 4. ll reason-of its shape and arrangement, this lever-sllpporti11g member also convenientlv serves as a handle in lifting the gemholding head.

livoted at its upper end to a lug 19 on the vertical portion of the lever-simporting member l6 is a latch lever 2 which is provided with a latch projection 21 arranged to latch under a flange 22- on the slidable cup member 13, and which is provided in its lower end with a longitudinally extending slot 21). Extending at right angles to the latch lever 20 along the lower leg of the lever-supporting member 16, a locking lever 24, pivoted at its rear end to a. lug 18 on the lever-supporting member mama pro vided at its front end with av laterally projecting pin which is adapted to reston the upper rounded end of a. trigger 26 pivoted near its upper end to the downwardly projecting end of the lower leg of the leversupporting member 16. The rear and ot this locking lever 2% is provided with an integral depending arm 27 carrying on its lower liy projecting pin 28 engaging end a. lab in the slot 48 1t is'a; ;parent that, as long lei'cr 24 is as the outer end of the locking held up by the pin resting upon the top of tri ger 26, the lower end of the latch is held in and the lat-cling projection holds the cup members 12 and 18 closed aiminzst the tension of the spring 15, in the 'ahown in the drawings. 'hen the It roelied upon its pivot and the le-h' ofi the trigger. the from end the lowing le er 2? drops down and he I and ofthe latch lever 2!) swing outrardliy under the tension of the spring: 15. line spring: 15 thereupon separates the two nip members. and raises the spindle l and ifts the gem 8 all the lap. The lower end of that trigger 255 's areuate amLr-oncentrir with the pirot of the trigger. so that when the ""ri" engages the. lap. it merely rolls about (it and does not tend to elevate the connected part: and thereby minimizes wear. The; trigger guided laterally by a vertical U-shaped guide Litton the lower legs of the lever-supporting: member it. and the trigger is provided at its side toward the pin 25 with a weight 3). whieli tends to hold the trigger underneath the pin 23 until the trigger is roeked hy engag ment with the lap.

The. trigger 2G is arranged to engage the lap at a predetermined time during the pol ishifig operation. To adjust the trigger er tiraily in accordance with the depth to be polished. the operat r has only to turn the inicronie'zar rew l-l whieb enggagw .wrew

threads on the spindle *i. and this. mi -room ter screw (33.21166, the lever-supp.irtingz men; her 1'63 and the parts carried th rein tow ard and away from the lap. By thew 1W4: a the ig r (an be set with the most aeeurx: e ad iu-tment. and it will be noted that [lie rigid nnpporting member 16 and itr; manne; i at taohmnnt permit no looseness or play oi the part:

The. trigger 2 is arranged no that it er.- {zages the lap directly behind the gem. as shown in Fig. 7. so that it will engagzn pro Cisely the same. path upon the lap that the gem does. and the two will not be dillerentiallv affected by unerennesses of the lap. To bring the trigger into tracking relation with the, gem. it is only necessary to swing the lever-supporting member 16 angularly about the spindle 4. To lork the lever-supporting member in adjusted position. it i.

eonnected to a frirtion eollar Ill. by a pin 3'2 whieh extends into a tubular guide 15 5 in the friction (-ollar (see Fig. 5). Thist'rir tion collar 31 is clamped by screws. 2H about a reduced hub portion on the lower end of the spmdlesupportmg \blork 5. and is clamped sufficiently tightly to hold it against being: turnedby the ordinary stresses developed in the polishing operation. while permitting it to be turned without loosening the clamping sci-Mrs 3-H when snllieient foree is applied for that purpose. The pin and guide tube (-onneetion between the lever supporting member and the frietion ollar lock the lerensu )porting member and heme the trigger "26 in adjusted poh'ition. while porting blot-l; 3 "(lUP'Cl iliP- therewith. as

shown in l'ig. l. and. ronmapiently. when th indit-atioiw on the arm T and sraleilli agre the trigger in trarkmg relation it i= apparent that. a movement of the gemarrymg head :loin: the arm 7 will lill'erentially with the gem.

vary the distances of the rigger it? and gem h from the renter of the lap. and. henre. will throw the trig yer out of trio-hing relation with the gem. To bring: it again into rat-king relation, it is only neressary to swin the lever-sure portingmember angularly about the ndle until the real-in on the e rale Ilti a roiwis ill. that on the aim T.

it i. w n wltb that \ariou modiiieaiions may be made in the lUlhll'lllllUlt s own in the dra in uiand above partir hirly di wrilwd within the priniiple and ,o' p'c oi invention. l riaim: l em polishin narliino eompi'iring a abl lat. men :er. a gen: hold r to hold a gjem in iontaet with the to approarh the lap as the g m in and a depth gait moyable toward In llu: lap with the gem b lder and In: an op rating member a iliIWl lo Ell lap in the path of the gem at a *ltl'llilifl' l stage of the poliuhing opera-- atod tb ieby to operate d. lap an polinhe'it and i invlu:

engg'zr -e predi lion and to be opt-r the depth gage.

2. i\ 'em polish n a relati ely movable lap member. a gem holder arranged to hold a gem in eontart with the lap and to approzu'h the lap an. the gem lr-i polished and shil'table to apply the gem to diil'erent paths on the lap. and a depth gage me baniun morablo toward and from the lap with the gem holder and operative to more the gem holder away from the lap and ineluding an operating tripping member arranged at a preiletermined stage of the poliahing operation to be. operated and thereby operate the depth gage to more the gem holder away from the lap.

.l. gem polidiing, maehine eomprising a relatively movable lap member, a gem holder arranged to hold a gem in rontact with the lap and to approaeh the lap as the. gem in polished. normally inoperative disengaging means arranged when operated to disengage the gem holder away from the lap. and a trigg r carried by tho gem holder and arranged in control of the disengaging means and adapted to engage the lap at a predetermined stage of the polishing opera tion and to be operated thereby to operate the disengaging means.

l. A gent polishing machine comprising a relatively movable lap member, a gem holder arranged to hold a gem in contact with the lap and to approach the lap as the gem is polished and shit'table to apply the gem in dilterent paths on the lap, normally inoperative disengaging means arranged when operated to disengage the gem holder away from the lap, and a trigger carried by the gem holder and arranged in control of the disengaging means and adapted to engage the lap in the path of the gem upon the lap at a pielctermined stage of the polishing operation and to be operated thereby to operate the disengaging means.

5. gem polishing machine comprising a relatively movable lap member, a spindle arranged perpendicular to the lap and mounted for free axial movement and normally held at, its closest approach to the lap. a polishing head carried by the spindle and arranged to hold the gem in contact with the lap, normally inoperative disengaging means arranged when operated to lift the spindle axially from the lap. and a trigger carried by the spindle and arranged in control of the lifting means and adapted to engage the lap at a predetermined stage of the polishing operation and to be operated thereby to operate the disengaging means.

6. A gem polishing machine comprising a relatively movable lap member. a spindle arranged perpemlicular to the lap and mounted for free axial movement and normally held at its closest approach to the lap, at polishing head carried by the spindle and arranged to hold. the gem in contact with the lap in a prcdetermined path thereon, normally inoperative disengaging means arranged when operated to lift the spindle axially from the lap. and a trigger carried y the spindle and arranged in control of the lifting means and adapted to engage the lap in the path of the gem upon the lap at a prcdetermineti stage of the polishing opcration and to be operated thereby to operate the disengaging means.

7. A gem polishing machine comprising a relatively movable lap member, a spindle arranged perpendicular to the lap and mounted for l'ree axial niiin'enient and norznaliv h 'at at it closest approach to the lap. a polishing head carried by the spindle and arranged to hold the gem in contact with the lap, normally immerative disengaging means arranged when operated to lift the spindle axially from the lap, a trigger carried by the spindle and arranged in control oi the lifting means and adapted to engage the lap at a predetermined stage of the p0lishing operation and to be operated thereby to operate the disengaging means, and mean -for adjusting the trigger longitudinally 0f the spindle.

8. A gem polishing machine comprising a relatively movable .l'ap member, a spindle arranget'l perpendicular to the lap and mounted for free axial movement and normally held at its closest approach to the lap, 21 shiftable polishing head carried by the spindle and arranged to hold the gem in contact with the lap in a predetermined path thereon according as the polishing head i shifted, normally inoperative disengaging means arranged when operated to lift the spindle axially from the lap, a trigger carried by the spindle and arranged in control of the lifting means and adapted to engage the lap upon the lap at a. predetermined stage of the polishing operation and to be operated thereby to operate the disengaging means. and means for adjusting the trigger longitudinally of the spindle.

9. A gem polishing machine comprising a rotary lap. a bearing member, a spindle arranged perpendicular to the lap and mounted in the hearing member for free axial inovement therein, a polishing head carried by the spindle and arranged to hold a gent in contact with the lap. resilient means operative to lift the spindle and polishing head away from the lap, means arranged to lock the resilient means, and a trigger device carried by the spindle and arranged in control of the locking means aml operative to engage the lap at a predetermincd stage of the poli hing operation and to be tripped thereby and release. the locking means.

10. A gem polishing machine 7 a rotary lap, a bearing member shitta'ole transversely of the lap. a spindle arranged perpendicular to the lap and mounted in the bearing member f r free axial movement therein, a polishing head carried by the spindle and arranged to hold a gem in contact with the lap in apath thereon deter mined by the position of the shiftable bearing member, resilient means operative to lift the spindle and polishing head away from the lap, locking meansiarranged to lock the eomprisi ng resilient means. and a trigger device carriedhv the spindle and arranged in control of the locking means and operative to engage the lap in the path or" the gem upon the lap at :1 predv tern ned. stage ot' he polishing operation id to be tripped thereby and release the locking means.

ii. A gem polishing marhin comprising a rotary lap. a bearing member, a spind e arranged perpeudicuiar to the. lap and mounted in the bearing member for free axial movement therein, a poiishing head carried by the spindle and arranged to hold a gem in contact with the tap, resilient in the path of the gemlock i ng lot;

means operative to lift the spindle and polishing head away from the lap, locking means a rranged to lock the resilient means, a rigger device carried by thespindle and arranged in control of the l0cking means and operative at a predetermined stage of the polishing operation and be tripped and thereby release r 5 to adjnat the spindle A gem polishing machine comprising rotary lap. a bearing member, a spindle winged parpendienlar to the lap and mounted in the h ing member for free al mmenant therein, a polishing head riesil the iindle and arranged t hold, nith the lap, resilient lii'r the spindle and pol-- it: the lap, limiting i lient meaill? spindls the trigger longitudinally y; operai ,1 th, iotl triggni o airing the ling machine eompvie rig fidflllliibl, a spindle v1; to the lap naming :nsamher for tiwirm, v: rllo n .l arranged to hold with the lap. resilient Hyatt-ii, to lift the spindle and gins! head away from the lap, locking mean. arranged to lorlc the resilient means, a trigger device carried by the spindle in the path of the gem upon the lap and arranged in control of the locking means and win-lam to en a e the la) at a redeterl h h i stage of the polishing operation and to lripped thereby and release the look ing means, means to adjust the trigger angulzrziy about the spindle to bring the trigger no the path of the gem, and means to adjust the trigger longitudinally of the apindle,

H. A gem polishing machine comprising a rotary lap, a beliring member, a spindle arranged mrpendicular to the lap and mounted in the hearing member for free ial movement therein, a polishing head rarried by the spindle and arranged to hold a .gzn in mutant with the lap. resilient, or: a operative to lift the spindle and polining head away from the lap; and a depth gage comprising a lever arranged to root-rot the resilient means, a locking lever locing position and to be operated at a the locking means, and

polishing head predetermined stage of the polishing opera tion and rocked upon its pivot and release the locking: lever, therelrv tripping the depth gage and eleasing the resilient means.

15. i\ gem polishing machine comprising a rotary lap, a bearing-memher, a spindle arranged perpendirular to the lap and mounted in the hearing member for free axial movement therein, a polishing head carried by the spindle nd arranged to hold gem in rontart with the lap, resilient m ansv operative tilift the spindle and polishing head away from the lap: and depth gage eomprising a latch lever arranged to hair he Z't' 'iient means, a, lrxzking lover ai nti to lock the latch lever in lochi an riv ted trigger arranged to iewr in inviting; position e lap in the path of the stage of the polislr l. to he rmvhed npon lie ,1 ieleaae the locking lever the depth gage and releasmeans, means to in st the ainali v of the Spindle, and the trigger angular r about i .2 wit the trigger in the path poliehing machine ot'nnprising a relative movable lap, a calibrated sup porting arm overhanging the lap, a gem carrying head mpported on the supporting arm and adinstable along the length thereof, a depth gage carried by the head, an operating trigger for the depth gage arranged to engage the lap and to be operated there by at a predetermined stage of the polishing operation, an angular-l movable support for the trigger for moving the trigger into tracking: relation with the gem, and a ealibrated srale for indicating the position. of adjustment of the trigger and correspond ing in its calibration to the -t:alil ration on the supporting arm. i

17. A gem polishing machine con'iprising a relatively mova le lap and a gem-holding head cooperative therewith, the grin-hidding head comprieing: a npindlc movable toward and from the lap a. spindle support, a depth gage, and a substantially U-shaped supporting member for the depth gage movable with the apindle and mounted for angn la movement relative to the spindle.

18. A gem-pollelnng machine having in wombination a rotary lap, aniovable gear the gem from the lap and means adapted to engage the lap in the path of the gem and cause said withdrav ing means to withdraw the gem from the lap at a pl((lt.i(.!'- mined stage in the polishing operation.

20. A gennpolishing machine having, in ctunbination, a rotary hip, a gem-holder for holding the gen'i upon the lap during the polishing operation and movable to shift the gem to diiffiihi paths on the lap, and means having a, mcmiwr adapted to engage the lap in the path of the gem in the lap at a predeterminml stage in the polishing operation for arresting [he poiishing open ation.

:31. i gem-polishing machine having. in combination, a rotary lap. :1 genrholdor for holding the gem upon the lap during the polishing operation. means for witlnh'zuving the gem from the lap. and means hay-- ing a member adapted to engage the lap at a. predetermined stage in the polishing op eration and cause said withdrawing means to withdraw the gem from the lap at a predetermined stage in the polishing operation.

A gennpolishing machine having, in combination, a rotary lap, at gem-holder for holding the gem upon the lap during the polishing operation and adapted to move toward the lap as they gem is polished, means for withdrawing the gem from the lap, and means movable with said holder having a member adapted to engage the lap in the path. of the gem at a predetermined stage in the polishing operation and cause said withdrawing means to withdraw the gem from the lap at a predetermined stage in the polishing operation.

255. In an apparatus of the class de scribed, the combination of a rotary polishing lap. a gem holder, means whereby the gem holder and gem are fed toward the lap during the polishing and means -whereby the gem and gum holder are withdrawn from the lap at a. prwletcrminwl stage of the polishing, said means comprising a trialgm, a lever ciiiipcrating therewiti and adapted to he released upon the tripping of the trigg r. another lover adapted to be wt in im'aii'm upon said first lever becoming lk' did a spring adapted to be released aid -i ie'ver to Withdraw the gem and in; hohier from the lap.

134.11. an ap 'mratns of the class dcserihed, the comhimnion of a polishing lap, a suitable frame, a gem holder for holding the i in cngagemei'it with the lap and :nigp to be fed toward the lap during the yolishing operation and means whereby the gem automatically withdrawn from the hp at a. pr-zarhatm mined stage in the p01- the lap in various positions radially of the ishing ope ation, said means comprising a trig er, a spring, means whereby one end of the spring acts on the gem holder. a member through which the other end of the spring may be permitted to act against a part on the frame to withdraw the gem from the lap, and intermediate mechanism controlled by the trigger and controlling said im-mber, to permit the spring to act to withdraw the gem holder and gem from the lap.

25. in an apparatus scribed. the combination of a polishing lap, a suitable frame, a gem holder for holding the gem in engagement with the lap and adapted to be fed toward the lap during the polishing operation, means whereby the gem is automaticaily withdrawn from the lap at a predetermined stage in the polishing operation. said means comprising a trigger. a spring, means whereby one end of the spring acts on th gem holder, 21 memb r throngh which the other end of the spring may be permitted to act against a part on the frame to withdraw the gem from. the lap. and intermediate mechanism controlled by the trigger and controlling said member. to permit the spring to act to withdraw the gem holder and gem from the lap and a micrometer screw for adjusting the relative position of the gem to the lap at which the gem is Withdrawn.

2G.-In an apparatus of the class de scribed, the combination of a rotary. polishing lap, an arm extending over said lap parallel thereto. a gem carrying head slidable. along said arm to carry the gem on Of ii]? (i385 (1e.

'lap and means for arresting the polishing of the gem at any of its 'arious positions on the lap when the geni has been polished to a predetermined extent.

27. In an apparatus of the class dcseribed, the combination of a rotary polishing lap, an arm extending over said lap parallel thereto. a gem carrying head slidable along said arm to carry the gem on the lap in various positions radially of the lap, and means for arresting the polishing of the gem at any of its various positions on the lap when the gem has been polished to a predetermined extent, said last. mentioned means comr 'ising a spring operated device carried by the said carrying head and set into operation responsive to a certain movement of the gem toward the lap.

In testimony whereof I have aliixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLYDE J. COLEMAN.

Witnesses: I

VICTOR D. Bonsr, WM. A. KELLY.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,173,174, granted February 29,

1916, upon the application of Clyde J. Coleman of New Rochelle, N 'ew York, for an improvement in Gem-Polishing Machines, all error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 7, claim 11, for the Word and first occurrence, read to; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and scaled this 11th day of A ia, A. 1)., 191a.

[MEAL] R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Act'ihg Commissioner of Patents. 

